Cannes is slowing down cruise giants – and is not alone

The world's largest cruise ships now accommodate well over 5,000 travelers. When these floating cities dock for day trips during a cruise, places like Amsterdam or Venice quickly become overcrowded. Because the ships also emit tons of pollutants, they are increasingly being banned from ports.

After Nice announced drastic measures against cruise ships at the beginning of the year, Cannes, another popular holiday destination on the Côte d'Azur, is now fighting back against overtourism.

The French coastal city plans to significantly reduce the number of cruise ships docking in the future. As the German press agency reports, starting in 2026, only one cruise ship carrying more than 3,000 guests will be allowed to anchor in the bay per day. This will then be reduced to 34 such ocean giants per year. Starting in 2030, only ships carrying a maximum of 1,300 guests will be permitted.

That would be a significant improvement: Last year, 175 passenger ships docked in Cannes, bringing around 460,000 guests to the city. However, passengers generally don't spend much money in the places they visit, as they enjoy all-inclusive meals on board and even organize their own excursions. Locals thus hardly benefit from the cruise crowds and instead have to live with the negative aspects of cruise tourism.

Even city tours and other excursions are organized by the ships.

Source: imago images/Jochen Tack

Another problem is the high environmental impact posed by these ocean-going giants. The ships emit vast amounts of pollutants and cause measurable air pollution in the cities where they dock. For Cannes Mayor David Lisnard, this is a clear case: "The Bay of Cannes is an ecological treasure and a source of biodiversity that must be protected," he explained in a statement. The conservative politician has been advocating for strict environmental regulations for cruise ships for years.

To combat cruise ships and the problems they bring, more and more cities are taking drastic measures. Among them are the following:

Nice, France: In the neighboring city of Nice , ships with a capacity of more than 900 passengers will no longer be allowed to dock during the summer. Furthermore, it will be prohibited to bring travelers to the mainland in smaller boats. Nice's mayor, Christian Estrosi, was clear: "I don't want floating hotels anchored off Nice. I say: Cruise ships that pollute the environment, that spit out their low-cost customers, that consume nothing but leave their garbage behind, have no place here."

Venice, Italy: Venice is considered a pioneer in cruise ship bans. Large cruise ships have been banned from Venice since 2021. A study found that pollutant emissions have fallen by 80 percent since then.

Cruise ships in Venice.

Source: imago images/Arnulf Hettrich

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Politicians in Amsterdam have been discussing measures to combat air pollution caused by the cruise industry for years. Now the city council wants to take action. Starting in 2026, the number of ships docking at the passenger terminal in the city center is to be halved. The goal: From 2035, no cruise ships will be allowed to dock in the city center at all. The terminal will be relocated for this purpose, reports the "NOZ."

Barcelona, ​​Spain: Barcelona has also recognized the problem of air pollution caused by cruise ships and took action in October 2023. Since then, the giant ships have been banned from docking in the city center port. The city is also considering raising the tax on cruise travelers. It is currently €7, according to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Two cruise ships in the port of Barcelona.

Source: IMAGO/Robert Poorten

Norway: The Norwegian Parliament decided that starting in 2026, only zero-emission ships will be allowed to sail in UNESCO-protected fjords such as the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord. Until then, shipping companies are required to bring their fleets up to the latest environmental standards and minimize their ships' pollutant emissions.

Iceland: Iceland imposes very clear regulations on cruise lines regarding their fuel. Since 2020, ships are no longer allowed to use heavy fuel oil in Icelandic waters. Specifically, the sulfur dioxide content in the fuel may no longer exceed 0.1 percent.

Dubrovnik, Croatia: To reduce overcrowding in Dubrovnik 's historic Old Town, the daily number of cruise ships and passengers has been limited . A maximum of two ships are allowed to dock in Dubrovnik per day. Ships with more than 5,000 passengers on board are no longer allowed to enter the city's port at all.

A cruise ship in Dubrovnik.

Source: IMAGO/imagebroker

Greece: On the popular Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos , the number of tourists often significantly exceeds the number of locals. To defuse the situation, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced measures. These include limiting the number of berths for ships in 2025 and introducing tender procedures for ships wishing to visit the islands, reports the "Tagesschau" news program. A new additional tax for cruise travelers is also planned.

Palma de Mallorca, Spain: Mass tourism is also playing a major role in Mallorca , causing problems and protests. A strict rule has been in place there since 2023. Only a maximum of three cruise ships per day are allowed to dock in the port of Palma de Mallorca, explains "Mallorca Magazine."

The list of cities and countries that have already imposed cruise bans or are planning to do so in the near future is endless. However, it is clear that more and more destinations are taking measures against floating hotels, environmental and noise pollution, and mass tourism.

It is now up to the industry to adapt to these demands and to focus on more environmentally friendly propulsion methods and more sustainable tourism concepts.

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